Read Online Rancher For The Holidays (Love Inspired) by Myra Johnson - Free Book Online Page A

meantime, Marley arranged her camera tripod and light stands for reflectors. A few minutes later, Ben returned with his aunt and uncle.
    “Oh, Marley,” Jane gushed, “I’ve been flighty as a nervous hen all day. Still can’t believe we’re doing this!”
    “You look gorgeous—love the new haircut. Thought we’d start with you two on the porch swing.” As the couple moved toward the swing, Marley touched a finger to her lips as she pondered how best to pose them.
    Immersed in her work, she easily pushed all other thoughts from her mind. After taking several photos on the front porch, she moved everything inside and staged some shots near the fireplace. When Marley felt she’d captured the best portrait poses, she invited the Whitlows to pretend they were showing a stranger around the ranch, while she continued snapping candid photos of the couple in various settings.
    Finishing up outside the barn, Marley shut off her camera and capped the lens. “That should be plenty for me to work with. I’ll have proofs ready for you by the end of the week.”
    “Hang on,” Ben interjected. “I’ve got one more idea for some really good pictures.”
    Marley narrowed her eyes. “Here we go again, the amateur giving advice to the pro.”
    “No, seriously. If you really want to capture Uncle Steve and Aunt Jane in their element, you have to get some shots of them on horseback.” Ben motioned toward the barn.
    Marley turned to Jane with an obliging smile. “It’s totally up to you.”
    Jane shared a glance with her husband. “You know, we could all ride up to the ridge where those fall wildflowers are growing.”
    “Wait—
ride
out there? On horseback?” Marley shook her head. “I don’t ride.”
    All three of them—Steve, Jane and Ben—stared at her as if she’d grown another head.
    Ben raised his brows and blinked. “You’ve lived in Texas for ten years and you don’t ride?”
    “That settles it,” Steve said. “Today’s your first lesson. Ben, help me saddle up Dancer. He’ll give our greenhorn the smoothest ride.”
    Jane clucked her tongue. “Not in your good clothes! We should all go change first. Marley, are you okay riding in those jeans?”
    “Uh...” Surely there was a graceful way out of this.
    “Now, don’t you worry about a thing, honey.” Jane offered a reassuring pat to Marley’s arm. “Dancer’s gentle as a puppy. He’ll take real good care of you.”
    Yes, but puppies were small and cuddly. Horses were...big. Marley forced her mouth into a semblance of a smile. “I should pack up some of my equipment.”
    And maybe by then they’d forget about putting her on a horse and she could quietly slip away.
    One hand on Ben’s shoulder, Steve turned toward the barn. “Pour us some sweet tea, hon. We could all use a cool drink before we ride. Be right in soon as I check on Ruby one more time.”
    Ben caught Marley’s eye and mouthed
sorry
, but the laughter in his eyes said he wasn’t a bit sorry for wrangling her into a horseback ride.
    Nerves tingling, Marley swallowed. “We won’t be too long, will we? I have a few things to take care of back in town.”
    “Not long at all. It’s just a short ride out to the ridge.” Arm tucked around Marley’s waist, Jane guided her across the back lawn. “Honestly, I don’t know how you do all you do, sweetie. Manage your studio, teach classes, serve on your church’s outreach committee.”
    “Staying busy keeps me out of trouble.” Her light laugh belied the deeper truth to her statement. Too bad she hadn’t learned that lesson as a teenager.
    In the kitchen, Jane nudged Marley to a chair at the oak table. “Take a load off for a minute while I get the tea. I’m sure glad you’re getting Ben involved with the Candelaria ministry. It’ll be so good for him. You’re going back at Christmas, right?”
    “That’s the plan.” Marley pursed her lips. “I’d hate to think Ben feels any pressure about helping on our committee.